Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A metadata management method for a memory device, comprising: generating a virtual address layer in a memory space of a non-volatile memory of the memory device; establishing a mapping table in the virtual address layer to store at least one metadata corresponding to at least one storing block, wherein the at least one storing block comprises at least one physical address and the at least one physical address is related to the memory space; when writing at least one datum to the memory device, writing the at least one datum to at least one memory block of the memory space according to the at least one physical address; updating the at least one metadata of the at least one storing block when finishing writing the at least one datum; and reading, according to the at least one metadata corresponding to the at least one storing block, data corresponding to the at least one physical address after the memory device is shut down and recovered; wherein the at least one memory block is at least one blank block of the memory space; wherein the at least one storing block is stored from an end of the memory space.
This invention relates to metadata management in non-volatile memory devices, addressing the challenge of efficiently tracking and recovering data after system shutdowns or failures. The method involves creating a virtual address layer within the memory space of a non-volatile memory device, which serves as an abstraction layer for managing metadata. A mapping table is established in this virtual address layer to store metadata corresponding to one or more storing blocks, where each storing block contains at least one physical address linked to the memory space. When data is written to the memory device, it is stored in blank memory blocks based on the physical addresses specified in the mapping table. After writing, the metadata for the corresponding storing blocks is updated to reflect the new data. Upon system recovery after a shutdown, the stored metadata is used to locate and read the data associated with the physical addresses. The storing blocks are stored from the end of the memory space, and the memory blocks used for writing are initially blank. This approach ensures data integrity and efficient recovery by maintaining a structured metadata system that remains accessible even after unexpected interruptions.
2. The management method of claim 1 , further comprising: reading data corresponding to the at least one physical address according to the at least one physical address of the at least one storing block.
A method for managing data storage involves reading data from a storage device by accessing at least one physical address associated with at least one storage block. The method includes determining the physical address of the storage block, which may involve mapping logical addresses to physical addresses, and then retrieving the data stored at the specified physical location. This process ensures accurate data access by directly referencing the physical storage locations where the data is stored. The method may also include error detection and correction mechanisms to verify data integrity during the read operation. By using physical addresses, the method provides precise control over data retrieval, improving efficiency and reliability in storage management systems. The technique is particularly useful in systems where data is distributed across multiple storage blocks, requiring precise addressing to locate and retrieve the correct data. The method may be applied in various storage devices, including solid-state drives, hard disk drives, and other memory systems, to enhance data access performance and accuracy.
3. The management method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one metadata corresponds to pointer data of the at least one storing block.
A system and method for managing data storage involves tracking metadata associated with storage blocks to improve efficiency and reliability. The metadata corresponds to pointer data that identifies the location of stored data blocks within a storage system. This allows the system to dynamically map and retrieve data based on the metadata pointers, enabling efficient data management and retrieval. The method includes generating and updating metadata to reflect changes in data storage locations, ensuring accurate and up-to-date pointer information. By maintaining this metadata, the system can quickly locate and access stored data, reducing latency and improving performance. The approach is particularly useful in distributed storage environments where data may be spread across multiple storage devices or nodes. The metadata pointers facilitate seamless data retrieval and management, even as storage configurations change. This method enhances data integrity and accessibility while optimizing storage resource utilization. The system may also include mechanisms for error detection and correction, ensuring that metadata remains accurate and reliable over time. Overall, the method provides a robust framework for managing data storage in complex environments, improving efficiency and reliability.
4. The management method of claim 1 , further comprising: establishing a link list to link the at least one storing block when a size of the at least one metadata exceeds a storage space of the mapping table.
This invention relates to data storage management, specifically addressing the challenge of efficiently handling metadata when its size exceeds the available storage space in a mapping table. The method involves dynamically managing metadata storage by creating a link list to connect multiple storage blocks when the metadata size surpasses the mapping table's capacity. This approach ensures that metadata can be stored without loss or fragmentation, even when it exceeds the predefined storage limits of the mapping table. The link list allows for seamless access and retrieval of metadata by linking additional storage blocks as needed, maintaining data integrity and performance. The system monitors metadata size and automatically triggers the link list creation process when storage thresholds are reached, ensuring continuous and efficient metadata management. This solution is particularly useful in systems where metadata size can vary significantly, such as in file systems, databases, or other storage architectures where metadata must be reliably stored and accessed. The method optimizes storage utilization and prevents data loss by dynamically expanding storage capacity for metadata through linked storage blocks.
5. A memory device, comprising: a non-volatile memory, for providing a memory space, the memory space comprises a plurality of memory blocks; a dynamic random access memory; and a memory controller, coupled to the dynamic random access memory, for executing a management process to write data of the dynamic random access memory into the memory device, wherein the management process comprises: generating a virtual address layer in the memory space; establishing a mapping table in the virtual address layer to store at least one metadata corresponding to at least one storing block, wherein the at least one storing block comprises at least one physical address and the at least one physical address is related to the memory space; when writing at least one datum to the memory space, writing the at least one datum to at least one memory block of the plurality of memory blocks according to the at least one physical address; updating the at least one metadata of the at least one storing block when finishing writing the at least one datum; and reading and searching, according to the at least one metadata corresponding to the at least one storing block, data corresponding to the at least one physical address after the memory device is shut down and recovered; wherein the at least one memory block is at least one blank block of the plurality of memory blocks; wherein the at least one storing block is stored from an end of the memory space of the memory device.
A memory device includes a non-volatile memory providing a memory space divided into multiple memory blocks, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and a memory controller coupled to the DRAM. The memory controller executes a management process to transfer data from the DRAM to the non-volatile memory. The process involves creating a virtual address layer within the memory space and establishing a mapping table in this layer to store metadata associated with storing blocks. Each storing block contains at least one physical address linked to the memory space. When writing data to the memory space, the data is written to blank memory blocks based on the physical addresses. After writing, the metadata of the storing blocks is updated. The device can later read and search for data by referencing the metadata of the storing blocks, even after shutdown and recovery. The storing blocks are stored from the end of the memory space, and the memory blocks used for writing are initially blank. This system improves data management and retrieval efficiency in non-volatile memory by maintaining an organized virtual address layer and metadata tracking.
6. The memory device of claim 5 , wherein the management process further comprises: reading data corresponding to the at least one physical address according to the at least one physical address of the at least one storing block.
A memory device includes a management process for handling data storage and retrieval. The device addresses the challenge of efficiently managing data in non-volatile memory, particularly in systems where data integrity and access speed are critical. The management process involves storing data in at least one storing block within the memory device, where each storing block is associated with at least one physical address. The process further includes reading data from the storing block by accessing the stored data using the physical address. This ensures that data can be accurately retrieved when needed, maintaining data consistency and reliability. The management process may also involve additional steps such as writing data to the storing block, updating metadata, or performing error correction to enhance performance and durability. The system is designed to optimize memory operations, reducing latency and improving overall efficiency in data handling. The invention is particularly useful in storage systems where fast and reliable data access is essential, such as solid-state drives (SSDs) or embedded memory systems.
7. The memory device of claim 5 , wherein the at least one metadata corresponds to pointer data of the at least one storing block.
A memory device includes a memory array and a controller configured to manage data storage and retrieval. The memory array comprises multiple storing blocks, each capable of storing data and associated metadata. The metadata corresponds to pointer data, which indicates the location or address of stored data within the storing blocks. The controller processes this metadata to efficiently access, modify, or retrieve the stored data. The pointer data may include addresses, offsets, or other location identifiers that help the controller navigate the memory structure. This system enhances data management by enabling precise tracking of stored data locations, improving access speed and reliability. The memory device may be part of a larger storage system, such as a solid-state drive or a memory module, where efficient data handling is critical. The use of metadata as pointer data allows for dynamic and flexible data organization, reducing fragmentation and optimizing storage utilization. The controller may also update the pointer data in response to data operations, ensuring consistency and accuracy. This approach is particularly useful in systems requiring high-speed data access and efficient memory management.
8. The memory device of claim 5 , wherein the management process further comprises: establishing a link list to link the at least one storing block when a size of the at least one metadata exceeds a storage space of the mapping table.
A memory device includes a management process for handling metadata associated with data storage. The device addresses the challenge of efficiently managing metadata when its size exceeds the available storage space in a mapping table. The management process dynamically allocates storage for metadata by establishing a linked list structure. This linked list connects multiple storing blocks, allowing the metadata to span across these blocks when the mapping table's storage capacity is insufficient. The linked list ensures that metadata remains accessible and organized, even when it exceeds the initial storage limits of the mapping table. This approach optimizes memory usage and maintains efficient data retrieval by dynamically expanding storage for metadata as needed. The solution is particularly useful in systems where metadata size varies or grows over time, ensuring reliable data management without requiring a fixed, large mapping table.
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September 22, 2020
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